Fact: the diversity of germs in a newborn's first poop is a significant determiner on if the child will go on to develop autoimmune conditions. Sure, that child will go on to get some germs other way, but there's pretty good indication that what they get, or don't get, from their mothers at birth will influence their entire lifetime of buggy diversity. Children born of c-sections have a 20%+ increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, a life-shortening autoimmune disease which can cause multiple disabilities and requires lifetime intensive intervention. and sucks. I don't know how you can claim this demonstrated risk as insignificant.
I had even never heard of that claim before.. Was curious, so I looked up from where this source originated from. Sure enough it was linked on wikipedia and related standard news articles. So I read the original research article.
The study itself (if you are referring to the one from Queen's University Belfast) even said itself there a plethora of other factors involved and it is not to be taken conclusively. It's not being shown to me that it is
fact that the cause is from natural microbiota transfer from the mother. That is not proved.
I can demonstrate in theory how the risk isn't as imposing as you've implied.
For all we know it may be limited to Europe (since that's where the study was conducted), could be a problem with the c section procedure, or a problem with c section procedures done IN Europe, techniques done after C-S birth that differs from a vaginal birth (anti-septic techniques, chemicals involved), differences in natural flora in Europe compared to other countries of the world, differences between socioeconomic status and hospital choices, differences in procedures by year - the journal itself states that it is limited to studies done before 2007, until a conclusive study is done that pinpoints the cause, this list can continue to go on.
We, you, them, no one knows for a fact why the cause would be from C-section itself. Even the journal stated it used data given from other authors rather than conducting the study themselves, and that the reason why is unknown to the researchers (who again, are not doing any actual testing).
Meta analysis said:
The explanation for the observed increase in the risk of type 1 diabetes in children born by Caesarean section is unknown,
Fact: autoimmune conditions suck, and developed countries have more of them for a reason. We subject children to increasingly sterile conditions needlessly, including during birth, and act surprised when things go wrong.
The reason for increased diabetes in first world countries is not just because of c-section alone. A plethora of factors can include lifestyle, SES, differences in medication intake, food consumption, and so on. If related to 'sterile conditions' there should be more studies demonstrating it. I would be interested if they or other peers would be to conduct a followup and see if it holds true.
There is something wrong with choosing, for no medical reason, to subject yourself to increased risk at birth, AND subject your child to a lifetime increased risk of illness. It is a crucial factor, like it or not.
Still, unless the representation is mass paranoia over the usage of c-section, nothing is conclusive that I can determine as of right now. Other than the choice alone is up to the mother, aside from major conditions displayed (for none related to the normal flora) there is no reason why I can see they can't be choosing it for personal choice. Remember that the study indicates it is a
risk at developing IDDM,
and is not a guarantee.
Some children will always be getting IDDM through genetic means which cannot be circumvented at all. Recall that IDDM is not life threatening and can always be treated through supplements unlike type 2, which is perceived to be an imposed problem.